burning bridges
you’d never give up on anyone
she says
and she’s right –
why would I?
we talk an hour
and the only useful thing I say
is her lucky number
but it’s enough
it adds up to family
as meager as it’s always been
as hungry as it’s always left me
bush buffet
you can’t eat the scenery
she said about Vermont
but lounging at Shayamoya
I take in great gulps
of Jozini and Lobombo
clean my teeth
with tiger fish nets
listen close under canvas
for the pulse of wave
or rattle of train
fill a leaking bucket
with jawsome hugs
as usual try to notice
what’s not being said
fill up on cricket song and eagle cries
thirsty
in a country waiting for rain
